Expressive Manga Illustration in Watercolor

Begin by getting to know Geoff. Hear about his artistic journey, and learn about the artwork and artists that have shaped his style. Then, get an overview of the course project.

Go over the different materials needed and get some recommendations on what to use. Learn essential drawing techniques when sketching a manga character’s body proportions and facial expressions. Discover different watercolor techniques and learn how to mix paint to achieve the right look. Get inspired by collecting references to help decide on your design.

Following the drawing techniques from earlier, sketch different thumbnails of your design. Choose your favorite and draw it to a larger scale. Geoff guides you through the painting process and demonstrates different brush stroke techniques. Explore how to paint your illustration in different layers to give your work depth and detail. Then, analyze your artwork and add the final touches.

In the final unit, Geoff shows you his method for photographing and sharing his work. He shares lighting techniques and shows how to scan your work to make prints. He also shows how you can use Photoshop to format your work for social media and prints.